NHL Lockout Could Save Canadians’ Hearing

Posted on 10/14/2012

Connect Hearing says extremely loud noise at sporting events and in sports bars can lead to hearing damage

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA (October 15, 2012) — As the NHL continues to cancel games because of the ongoing labour lockout, the hearts of Canadians are breaking. But their ears just may be cheering, according to the nation's leading network of hearing-health clinics.

Connect Hearing says loud noise at hockey arenas and in the sports bars where many fans congregate to watch NHL games boosts the chance of hearing loss.

“The NHL lockout is a sad reality. It's true, however, that there is a silver lining in it for Canadian hockey fans and that is their hearing will likely benefit from these quiet days without our national pastime,” says Connect Hearing Director of Professional Practice MJ DeSousa. “Arena atmospheres are one of the most stressful environments for our ears and we encourage everyone to take precautions, including wearing earplugs, so they can stay connected to their friends and family for years to come.”

Crowd noise at NHL games can exceed 100 decibels. During one game in last season's Stanley Cup playoffs, the noise was so loud inside the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. that it caused a clock error because officials couldn’t communicate with each other.

“Research on hearing loss shows that people are suffering hearing damage at younger and younger ages. Exposure to loud environments is a primary reason why. Thankfully, there are ways to curtail hearing loss before you notice its effects, which is why Connect Hearing offers complimentary hearing screenings to Canadians across the country,” DeSousa says.

The NHL season was supposed to start at the beginning of this month, but the stalemate between the owners and the players forced the cancellation of the first two weeks of the schedule on October 4. The earliest the season could now start is October 24, according to most reports, and it's expected that more of the regular-season schedule will be cancelled this week if no deal is made.

“All of us can't wait for the hockey season to begin, but in the mean time it's nice to know your ears are going to get a break,” DeSousa says.

For more details about Connect Hearing's complimentary hearing screenings and other ways to prevent hearing loss, contact the Connect Hearing clinic nearest to you or visit the Connect Hearing website.